Why and When to Clear CapCut Cache

CapCut stores temporary files called cache on your PC to speed up editing and playback. Over time, this cache can grow to several gigabytes and slow down your computer or cause CapCut to freeze, crash, or behave unpredictably. Clearing the cache removes these temporary files without deleting your projects or saved videos.

You should clear CapCut cache if the app is running slowly, if you are running low on disk space, or if CapCut is crashing during editing. The process takes about five minutes and does not affect your work — your projects remain intact.

Key Takeaways

  • CapCut cache is stored in a hidden folder on your PC that you access through File Explorer by showing hidden files.
  • The cache folder is located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\CapCut, and you can safely delete everything inside the cache subfolder.
  • Close CapCut completely before clearing cache, or the app may recreate the files you delete.
  • Clearing cache frees up disk space and often fixes freezing or crashing, but does not remove your video projects.

Enable Viewing Hidden Files in File Explorer

CapCut cache lives in a hidden folder that does not show up in File Explorer by default. You must turn on the option to view hidden files first.

Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E on your keyboard. At the top of the window, click the View tab. On the right side of the ribbon, check the box next to Hidden items. Hidden files and folders will now appear in File Explorer, shown with a faded icon.

Navigate to the CapCut Cache Folder

With hidden files now visible, you can find the CapCut cache folder. In the address bar at the top of File Explorer, click once and type the following path exactly:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\CapCut

Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username. For example, if your username is "Sarah", the path would be C:\Users\Sarah\AppData\Local\CapCut. Press Enter to navigate to this folder.

If you are not sure of your username, open File Explorer, click This PC on the left, and look at the folder names under "Users" — one of them is your username.

Delete the Cache Subfolder

Inside the CapCut folder, you will see several items. Look for a folder named cache. This is the temporary file storage you want to clear. Right-click on the cache folder and select Delete from the menu.

A confirmation dialog may appear asking if you want to delete this folder. Click Yes to confirm. The cache folder and all its contents will be removed. Do not delete any other folders in the CapCut directory — only the cache folder.

If you cannot find a cache folder, check that you navigated to the correct path and that hidden files are visible. If the folder still does not appear, CapCut may not have created a cache yet, and there is nothing to clear.

Restart CapCut to Rebuild Cache

After deleting the cache folder, close CapCut completely if it is still open. You can do this by clicking the X button on the CapCut window or by right-clicking the CapCut icon in the taskbar and selecting Close window.

Wait about 10 seconds, then open CapCut again. The app will automatically create a new, empty cache folder. Your projects will load normally, and the app should run noticeably faster because it is starting with fresh temporary files instead of accumulated clutter.

Alternative: Use CapCut Settings to Clear Cache

Some versions of CapCut include a built-in cache-clearing option in the app itself. Open CapCut and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner. Select Settings, then look for an option labeled Cache or Storage. If you see a button that says Clear Cache, click it and confirm.

This method is faster than manually deleting the folder, but not all CapCut versions have this option. If you do not see it in Settings, use the manual folder deletion method described above instead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not delete the entire CapCut folder — only delete the cache subfolder inside it. Deleting the whole CapCut directory can remove settings and project information. If you accidentally delete the wrong folder, close File Explorer and undo the action by pressing Ctrl + Z when ready.

Make sure CapCut is completely closed before you delete the cache folder. If the app is still running, it may recreate the cache files as you delete them, and the clearing will not work. Check the taskbar and system tray (bottom-right corner) to confirm CapCut is not running in the background.

Do not worry if the cache folder does not reappear when ready after you restart CapCut. The app creates cache files as it needs them, so the folder may not show up until you start editing a video.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my video projects?

No. Your projects are stored in a separate folder and are not affected by clearing cache. Only temporary editing files are removed. Your saved videos and project files remain on your PC.

How much disk space does CapCut cache usually take up?

Cache size varies depending on how much you have edited in CapCut. It can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes if you have been working on large video projects for weeks without clearing it.

Do I need to clear CapCut cache regularly?

You only need to clear cache when you notice CapCut is slow, crashing, or when you need to free up disk space. There is no set schedule — most users clear it once every few months or when problems occur.

What if I cannot find the AppData folder?

Make sure you have enabled hidden files in File Explorer (View tab, check Hidden items). AppData is a hidden folder by default. If you still cannot find it, try typing the full path directly into the address bar instead of browsing manually.

Will clearing cache speed up CapCut?

Yes, in most cases. Clearing old cache files removes clutter that can slow down the app. You should notice faster loading times and smoother editing, especially if the cache had grown very large.